George Descombes Beaujolais Brouilly 2018

Georges Descombes' Brouilly is 100% Gamay sourced from 3.5 hectares of organically farmed vines on hilly sites of decomposed granite soils surrounding Mont Brouilly. Descombes makes two Brouilly bottlings; this is the younger-vine cuvee, from vines ranging up to nearly 50 years old, plus some purchased Brouilly fruit. All vineyards are harvested by hand in whole clusters.

In the cellar, Descombes uses whole-bunch, semi-carbonic maceration in large vats over roughly 30 days at cold temperatures with native yeasts and no added sulfur during fermentation. After fermentation, the wine is aged for approximately one year in a combination of inert vats and large wood foudres. A minuscule dose of sulfur is added at bottling, far below the legal limit for certified organic wine, followed by a light, non-sterile filtration.

The result is a light-to-medium-bodied red with a pale ruby color, bright red fruit aromatics of cherry and raspberry, violet florals, and a mineral undercurrent that reflects the granite soils of Brouilly. Tannins are silky, acidity is lively, and the finish carries a subtle savory, peppery note. Descombes typically releases his wines later than peers to allow for extra bottle stabilization.